Hemi- and Homozygous Loss-of-Function Mutations in DSG2 (Desmoglein-2) Cause Recessive Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy with an Early Onset

About 50% of patients with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) carry a pathogenic or likely pathogenic mutation in the desmosomal genes. However, there is a significant number of patients without positive familial anamnesis. Therefore, the molecular reasons for ACM in these patients are frequently unknown and a genetic contribution might be underestimated. Here, we used a next-generation sequencing (NGS) approach and in addition single nucleotide polymor-phism (SNP) arrays for the genetic analysis of two independent index patients without familial medical history. Of note, this genetic strategy revealed a homozygous splice site mutation (DSG2–c.378+1G>T) in the first patient and a nonsense mutation (DSG2–p.L772X) in combination with a large deletion in DSG2 in the second one. In conclusion, a recessive inheritance pattern is likely for both cases, which might contribute to the hidden medical history in both families. This is the first report about these novel loss-of-function mutations in DSG2 that have not been previously identi-fied. Therefore, we suggest performing deep genetic analyses using NGS in combination with SNP arrays also for ACM index patients without obvious familial medical history. In the future, this finding might has relevance for the genetic counseling of similar cases.     

Telomere Length in Metaphase Chromosomes of Human Triploid Zygotes

The human lifespan is strongly influenced by telomere length (TL) which is defined in a zygote—when two highly specialised haploid cells form a new diploid organism. Although TL is a variable parameter, it fluctuates in a limited range. We aimed to establish the determining factors of TL in chromosomes of maternal and paternal origin in human triploid zygotes. Using Q-FISH, we examined TL in the metaphase chromosomes of 28 human triploid zygotes obtained from 22 couples. The chromosomes’ parental origin was identified immunocytochemically through weak DNA methylation and strong hydroxymethylation in the sperm-derived (paternal) chromosomes versus strong DNA methylation and weak hydroxymethylation in the oocyte-derived (maternal) ones. In 24 zygotes, one maternal and two paternal chromosome sets were identified, while the four remaining zygotes contained one paternal and two maternal sets. For each zygote, we compared mean relative TLs between parental chromosomes, identifying a significant difference in favour of the paternal chromosomes, which attests to a certain “imprinting” of these regions. Mean relative TLs in paternal or maternal chromosomes did not correlate with the respective parent’s age. Similarly, no correlation was observed between the mean relative TL and sperm quality parameters: concentration, progressive motility and normal morphology. Based on the comparison of TLs in chromosomes inherited from a single individual’s gametes with those in chromosomes inherited from different individuals’ gametes, we compared intraindividual (intercellular) and interindividual variability, obtaining significance in favour of the latter and thus validating the role of heredity in determining TL in zygotes. A comparison of the interchromatid TL differences across the chromosomes from sets of different parental origin with those from PHA-stimulated lymphocytes showed an absence of a significant difference between the maternal and paternal sets but a significant excess over the lymphocytes. Therefore, interchromatid TL differences are more pronounced in zygotes than in lymphocytes. To summarise, TL in human zygotes is determined both by heredity and parental origin; the input of other factors is possible within the individual’s reaction norm.     

Investigation of 12 – 15 Kev Electron Transmission Through Tapered Glass Capillaries

Glass and Ceramics - The results of experimental studies of the transmission of 12 and 15 keV electron beams through tapered glass macro-capillaries are presented. Measurements showed that there is...     

Regulation by Different Types of Chaperones of Amyloid Transformation of Proteins Involved in the Development of Neurodegenerative Diseases

The review highlights various aspects of the influence of chaperones on amyloid proteins associated with the development of neurodegenerative diseases and includes studies conducted in our laboratory. Different sections of the article are devoted to the role of chaperones in the pathological transformation of alpha-synuclein and the prion protein. Information about the interaction of the chaperonins GroE and TRiC as well as polymer-based artificial chaperones with amyloidogenic proteins is summarized. Particular attention is paid to the effect of blocking chaperones by misfolded and amyloidogenic proteins. It was noted that the accumulation of functionally inactive chaperones blocked by misfolded proteins might cause the formation of amyloid aggregates and prevent the disassembly of fibrillar structures. Moreover, the blocking of chaperones by various forms of amyloid proteins might lead to pathological changes in the vital activity of cells due to the impaired folding of newly synthesized proteins and their subsequent processing. The final section of the article discusses both the little data on the role of gut microbiota in the propagation of synucleinopathies and prion diseases and the possible involvement of the bacterial chaperone GroE in these processes.     

Color coding of the two-dimensional coordinates of events in position-sensitive radiation detectors

A new approach to determining the coordinates of events is proposed, which allows the point coordinates on a plane to be determined on line using a virtually single-channel readout system. According to the proposed method of color coding, each element of the area of a detecting target is assigned its color defined as a ratio of the component radiation wavelengths. Defined in this way, the color of the ith point on the mapping plane is in one to one correspondence with the (x _i , y _i ) coordinates of this point on the target.     

Limiting sensitivity of photodetectors based on A3B5 photodiodes for middle infrared range

The noise of photodetectors based on mid-IR A³B⁵ photodiodes (PhDs) implemented in a transimpedance amplifier scheme is analyzed. Recommendations concerning the choice of amplifier elements depending on the dynamic resistance of PhDs are given. It is shown that, using modern low-noise amplifiers, it is possible to reach a potential limiting threshold sensitivity of photodetectors only using PhDs with dynamic resistances above 50 Ω.     

Neuromodulation of Astrocytic K+ Clearance

Potassium homeostasis is fundamental for brain function. Therefore, effective removal of excessive K+ from the synaptic cleft during neuronal activity is paramount. Astrocytes play a key role in K+ clearance from the extracellular milieu using various mechanisms, including uptake via Kir channels and the Na⁺-K⁺ ATPase, and spatial buffering through the astrocytic gap-junction coupled network. Recently we showed that alterations in the concentrations of extracellular potassium ([K⁺]_o) or impairments of the astrocytic clearance mechanism affect the resonance and oscillatory behavior of both the individual and networks of neurons. These results indicate that astrocytes have the potential to modulate neuronal network activity, however, the cellular effectors that may affect the astrocytic K+ clearance process are still unknown. In this study, we have investigated the impact of neuromodulators, which are known to mediate changes in network oscillatory behavior, on the astrocytic clearance process. Our results suggest that while some neuromodulators (5-HT; NA) might affect astrocytic spatial buffering via gap-junctions, others (DA; Histamine) primarily affect the uptake mechanism via Kir channels. These results suggest that neuromodulators can affect network oscillatory activity through parallel activation of both neurons and astrocytes, establishing a synergistic mechanism to maximize the synchronous network activity.